a moment of silence at pearl harbor as aircraft from hawaii's air national guard flew over head to remember fallen comrades. 2,400 americans, mostly u.s. service member, died in that attack which propelled the united states into world war ii. the president released a statement today reading in part, let us reaffirm their legacy will always burn bright whether in the memory of those who knew him, the service of spirit that guides our men and women in uniform or the heart of the country they kept strong and free. >>trace: amazing to think that 16 million veterans who fought there are but 1.5 million left and we loss 600 each and every day. they are called the greatest generation and, today, a former general reminded us why. >> the world war ii generation fought the most destructive war in history. they fought that war against great odds not only did they fight and win that war and save this nation but they literally saved the world. >>trace: they saved the world and individually the stories continue to survive us. like this man who survived the bombing of pearl harbor and now identifies the r